In memoriam: Alan Stringer MBE (1928-2012)
Alan Stringer (1928 - 2012) was principal trumpet of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra from 1953 to 1993, except for 1960–1961 when he played principal with the London Symphony Orchestra.
He was born on December 8th, 1928 in Manchester. At age eleven, he became solo cornet of the chapel band at Oldham Road Brotherhood Chapel where his mother sang solos and father played piano and managed the chapel band’s finances. A young Alan Stringer also joined the Victoria Hall Chapel Band and the Windsor Institute Band in Salford. Stringer’s first teacher, Mr. Dooley, conducted all three ensembles.
At the age of sixteen, Stringer played Principal Cornet of the Besses o’th Barn Brass Band, and even won the best cornet soloist prize and best soprano soloist prize in the same performance. From 1946 to 1952, Stringer played in the Royal Air Force Band. He met his wife Alice, a trombone player with the band, at this time. Then in 1953 he auditioned for the conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Hugh Rignold, and at age twenty-four won the job as first trumpet with the RLPO, with no repertoire or sight reading in the audition. While in his tenure with the RLPO, he also taught at the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham’s School of Music.
Stringer can be heard on many recordings, including his recording of the Haydn Concerto with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with Neville Marriner conducting, and his trumpet and organ record with organist Noel Rawsthorne.
After retirement he moved to France and lived in Nerac, between Bordeaux and Toulouse. He died September 8, 2012, nearly 84 years old.
On May 26, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra hosted a commemoration of the life of Alan Stringer at The Fly In The Loaf. Many famous trumpeters, brass players, musicians, friends, and family from several generations attended to celebrate Stringer’s life. People shared stories and recalled anecdotes as they warmly remembered and celebrated Stringer.
Source: Brendan Ball, trumpet, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool, England
Links:
Brendan Ball’s comprehensive blog on the commemoration: http://brendanball.com/2013/05/27/a-wonderful-day-a-commemoration-and-celebration-of-the-life-of-stringer-mbe/